Cuba's Juan Almeida Bosque dead at 82
By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press Writer
HAVANA -- Juan Almeida Bosque, a comrade-in-arms of Fidel Castro since
the start of his guerrilla struggle in Cuba more than a half-century
ago, has died of a heart attack at age 82.
A statement read in government media said Almeida died Friday but will
"live on forever in the hearts and minds of his compatriots."
Almeida had been among only three surviving Cuban rebel leaders who
still bore the honorary title "Commander of the Revolution."
A bricklayer who began working at age 11, Almeida was once among the
most important and decisive voices in the battle to overthrow Cuban
dictator Fulgencio Batista, as well as in the early years following the
Jan. 1, 1959, triumph of the revolution.
Born Feb. 27, 1927, Almeida was often seen at public events in his
uniform alongside the Cuban leader until Castro fell gravely ill in the
summer of 2006 and finally resigned the presidency for good in February
2008. Almeida Bosque then became a mainstay beside Castro's younger
brother and successor, President Raul Castro.
With his full head of white hair and mustache, Almeida was a highly
visible member of Cuba's ruling elite, sitting on the Communist Party's
politburo and serving as a vice presidents on the Council of State, the
country's supreme governing body.
His duties included welcoming new foreign ambassadors to Cuba and
greeting other visiting dignitaries.
Almeida cut back on public activities in December 2003, announcing he
was suffering from heart problems.
Cuba's Juan Almeida Bosque dead at 82 - World AP - MiamiHerald.com (12
September 2009)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1229926.html
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